FraMCoS 6 2007 Catania, Italy

Coupling between leaching and creep of concrete

In a radioactive waste disposal, concrete containment structures must ensure the load-bearing capacity over extended periods. During its lifetime, concrete is also degraded by calcium leaching due to on- site water. An experimental investigation is described where the effects of…

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Year 2007
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Abstract

In a radioactive waste disposal, concrete containment structures must ensure the load-bearing capacity over extended periods. During its lifetime, concrete is also degraded by calcium leaching due to on- site water. An experimental investigation is described where the effects of an accelerated calcium leaching process of concrete on creep of concrete are highlighted. The comparison with a creep test where the sample is immersed in water shows that leaching generates tertiary creep and rupture of the specimen. A Dirichlet se- ries coupled to a mechanical damage are used to model the coupled tertiary creep. With this method we can evaluate the lifetime of concrete structures subjected to chemical and mechanical loading.